Great teams may win on the road, but they also know how to defend their home turf.
As we head into Round 11 of the 2023 AFL season, both the Sydney Swans and their challengers this week, Carlton, find themselves in precarious positions. The Blues have won twice on the road this season, but are coming off a third-straight loss, with the only victory in their last five clashes coming against the hapless West Coast Eagles. Hardly a form line that instils confidence.
However, the Swans, despite falling in against North Melbourne on the weekend, head home to the SCG – once a fortress, but now more akin to a decaying ruin.
Sydney have bolstered their unimpressive 2023 record by getting the job done on the road. Three of their four victories have come interstate, whilst their home form has been the thing to let them down.
With just one win in front of their home crowd, Sydney appears very vulnerable, and if it were any team other than Carlton, you’d almost put the house on them dropping this game.
What we are left with are two teams struggling for form. One is ravaged by injury to its defence. The other is playing like a side devoid of confidence.
Something has to give at the SCG on Friday night. Which team will buckle under the strain?
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